Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device can include a display panel having an active area including a plurality of subpixels; at least one hole area surrounded by the active area; a boundary area between the at least one hole area and the active area; a first gate line on the active area and the boundary area to supply a scan signal to a first group of subpixels; a second gate line on the active area and the boundary area to supply an emission signal to the first group of subpixels. Also, the display device can include a first data line disposed on the active area and the boundary area to supply a first data voltage to a second group of subpixels; and a second data line disposed on the active area and the boundary area to supply a second data voltage to a third group of subpixels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/748,776 filed on May 19, 2022, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/922,453filed on Jul. 7, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,367,383 issued on Jun. 21,2022), which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2019-0117722, filed in the Republic of Korea on Sep. 24, 2019, wherethe entire contents of all these applications are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth hereininto the present application.

BACKGROUND Field

Embodiments relate to a display device.

Description of Related Art

Along with the development of the information society, demand for avariety of types of image display devices is increasing. In this regard,a range of display devices, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devicesand organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices, have come intowidespread use.

Such a display device can include a display panel having a plurality ofsubpixels to display images and a variety of drive circuits to drive thesubpixels arranged on the display panel.

In addition, the display device can provide a function of detecting anobject approaching the display panel, performing input processing on thebasis of detection information, or capturing an image of the objectapproaching the display panel and displaying the captured image on thedisplay panel.

Therefore, the display device can include sensors, such as a proximitysensor and a camera sensor, depending on the desired function. Inaddition, such a sensor can be disposed in a bezel area of the displaypanel, on which no images are displayed.

Alternatively, in some cases, a camera sensor or the like can be locatedin a portion of an active area of the display panel, on which images aredisplayed, to prevent the bezel area of the display panel fromincreasing.

In this case, since a sensor area in which a sensor is disposed ispresent in an active area in which display operation components, such assignal lines and subpixels, are disposed, it may be difficult to disposethe display operation components in the active area, which can beproblematic.

In addition, due to the presence of the sensor area, a structure ofsignal lines, subpixels, and the like, disposed around the sensor area,can differ from those in the other areas. Accordingly, the presence of asensor in the active area can degrade the quality of the display panel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved arrangementstructure of signal lines including a sensor area provided in an activearea of a display panel, the arrangement structure allowing subpixelsdisposed around the sensor area to be driven.

Embodiments provide a solution able to improve the uniformity of imagesdisplayed by the subpixels located in the active area, around the sensorarea.

According to an aspect, embodiments can provide a display deviceincluding: a display panel in which a plurality of gate lines, aplurality of data lines, and a plurality of subpixels are disposed; atleast one hole area located in an active area of the display panel; anda boundary area disposed to be in contact with an outer circumference ofthe hole area.

In the display device, the plurality of data lines can include: aplurality of first data lines, through which a data voltage is suppliedto first color subpixels among the plurality of subpixels, a part ofeach of the plurality of first data lines being disposed in the boundaryarea; and a plurality of second data lines, through which the datavoltage is supplied to second color subpixels among the plurality ofsubpixels, a part of each of the plurality of second data lines beingdisposed in the boundary area, the plurality of second data lines beingdisposed on a layer different from a layer on which the plurality offirst data lines are disposed.

The gate lines can be disposed on a layer different from the layers onwhich the data lines are disposed. A vertical distance between thesecond data lines and the gate lines can be greater than a verticaldistance between the first data lines and the gate lines.

Here, the first data lines can supply the data voltage to red subpixelsand blue subpixels, while the second data lines can supply the datavoltage to green subpixels.

According to another aspect, embodiments can provide a display deviceincluding: at least one hole area disposed in an active area; a boundaryarea disposed to be in contact with an outer circumference of the atleast one hole area; and a plurality of data lines respectively having apart disposed in the boundary area, at least a portion of the part beingcurved. Two adjacent data lines among the plurality of data lines can bedisposed on different layers

According to embodiments, a boundary area can be disposed in an activearea of a display panel, outside of a hole area in which camera sensorsor the like are disposed, and signal lines for display operation can bedisposed in the boundary area, thereby providing an arrangementstructure of signal lines, through which subpixels located around thehole area are driven.

In addition, data lines disposed in the boundary area located around thehole area can be disposed on different layers according to subpixelsdriven through the data lines, thereby reducing an increase in load,which would otherwise be caused by an increase in the length of the datalines disposed in the boundary area.

Accordingly, degradations in luminance that would otherwise be caused byan increase in the load of data lines through which subpixels locatedaround the hole area are driven can be prevented, thereby improving theuniformity of images displayed by subpixels around the hole area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a configuration of a display deviceaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit structure of a subpixel (SP) in the displaydevice according to embodiments, as well as driving times of thesubpixel;

FIG. 3 illustrates structures in which a hole area is provided in anactive area of the display device according to embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in which signal lines are disposed in aboundary area located around the hole area provided in the active areaof the display device according to embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates another structure in which signal lines are disposedin a boundary area located around the hole area provided in the activearea of the display device according to embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement structure of data lines drivingsubpixels located around the hole area provided in the active area ofthe display device according to embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates another structure in which data lines are disposed inthe boundary area located around the hole area provided in the activearea of the display device according to embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a structure in which data lines are disposed outsideand inside of the boundary area located around the hole area illustratedin FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 illustrates a structure in which data lines are disposed in theboundary area located between two hole areas; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate examples in which the uniformity of luminancein the active area is improved by the arrangement structure of the datalines illustrated in FIG. 7 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of examples or embodiments of the presentinvention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in whichit is shown by way of illustration specific examples or embodiments thatcan be implemented, and in which the same reference numerals and signscan be used to designate the same or like components even when they areshown in different accompanying drawings from one another. Further, inthe following description of examples or embodiments of the presentinvention, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and componentsincorporated herein will be omitted when it is determined that thedescription can make the subject matter in some embodiments of thepresent invention rather unclear. The teams such as “including”,“having”, “containing”, “constituting” “make up of”, and “formed of”used herein are generally intended to allow other components to be addedunless the terms are used with the term “only.” As used herein, singularforms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

Terms, such as “first”, “second”, “A”, “B”, “(A)”, or “(B)” can be usedherein to describe elements of the present invention. Each of theseterms is not used to define essence, order, sequence, or number ofelements etc., but is used merely to distinguish the correspondingelement from other elements.

When it is mentioned that a first element “is connected or coupled to”,“contacts or overlaps” etc. a second element, it should be interpretedthat, not only can the first element “be directly connected or coupledto” or “directly contact or overlap” the second element, but a thirdelement can also be “interposed” between the first and second elements,or the first and second elements can “be connected or coupled to”,“contact or overlap”, etc. each other via a fourth element. Here, thesecond element can be included in at least one of two or more elementsthat “are connected or coupled to”, “contact or overlap”, etc. eachother.

When time relative terms, such as “after,” “subsequent to,” “next,”“before,” and the like, are used to describe processes or operations ofelements or configurations, or flows or steps in operating, processing,manufacturing methods, these terms can be used to describenon-consecutive or non-sequential processes or operations unless theterm “directly” or “immediately” is used together.

In addition, when any dimensions, relative sizes etc. are mentioned, itshould be considered that numerical values for an elements or features,or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, etc.) include atolerance or error range that can be caused by various factors (e.g.,process factors, internal or external impact, noise, etc.) even when arelevant description is not specified. Further, the term “may” fullyencompasses all the meanings of the term “can.”

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a configuration of a display device 100according to embodiments. All the components of the display deviceaccording to all embodiments of the present invention are operativelycoupled and configured.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display device 100 according to embodimentsincludes a display panel 110 having a plurality of subpixels SP, and agate driver 120, a data driver 130, a controller 140, and the like fordriving the display panel 110.

The display panel 110 can include an active area A/A serving as an imagedisplay area, with the plurality of subpixels SP being disposed in theactive area A/A, and a non-active area N/A located outside of the activearea A/A, with signal lines or the like being disposed in the non-activearea N/A.

In the active area A/A of the display panel 110, a plurality of gatelines GL and a plurality of data lines DL are disposed. The subpixels SPcan be disposed in areas in which the gate lines GL intersect the datalines DL.

Each of the subpixels SP can include an emitting device ED, and two ormore subpixels SP can constitute a single pixel.

The gate driver 120 is controlled by the controller 140, and controlsdriving times of the plurality of subpixels SP by sequentiallyoutputting a scan signal to the plurality of gate lines GL disposed inthe display panel 110.

The gate driver 120 can include one or more gate driver integratedcircuits (GDICs), and can be located on one side or both sides of thedisplay panel 110 depending on the driving method.

The data driver 130 receives image data from the controller 140, andconverts image data to an analog data voltage Vdata. In addition, thedata driver 130 outputs the data voltage Vdata to each of the data linesDL at points in time at which the scan signal is applied through thegate lines GL, so that the subpixels SP exhibit luminous intensitiescorresponding to the image data.

The data driver 130 can include one or more source driver integratedcircuits (SDICs).

The controller 140 supplies a variety of control signals the gate driver120 and the data driver 130 to control operations of the gate driver 120and the data driver 130.

The controller 140 controls the gate driver 120 to output the scansignal at points in time defined by frames. The controller 140 convertsimage data into a data signal format readable by the data driver 130 byreceiving the image data from an external source and outputs theconverted image data to the data driver 130.

The controller 140 receives a variety of timing signals, in addition tothe image data, from an external source (e.g., a host system). Thetiming signals can include a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, ahorizontal synchronization signal Hsync, an input data enable signal DE,a clock signal CLK, and the like.

The controller 140 can generate a variety of control signals inaccordance with the variety of timing signals received from the externalsource and output the control signals to the gate driver 120 and thedata driver 130.

For example, the controller 140 outputs a variety of gate controlsignals GCS, including a gate start pulse GSP, a gate shift clocksignal, a gate output enable signal GOE, and the like, to control thegate driver 120.

Here, the gate start pulse GSP controls operation start times of the oneor more GDICs of the gate 120. The gate shift clock GSC is a clocksignal commonly input to the one or more GDICs to controls shift timesof the scan signal. The gate output enable signal GOE designates timinginformation of the one or more GDICs.

In addition, the controller 140 outputs a variety of data controlsignals DCS, including a source start pulse SSP, a source sampling clockSSC, a source output enable signal SOE, and the like, to control thedata driver 130.

Here, the source start pulse SSP controls data sampling start times ofthe one or more SDICs of the data driver 130. The source sampling clockSSC is a clock signal that controls sampling times of data in each ofthe SDICs.

The display device 100 can further include a power management integratedcircuit (PMIC) that supplies various forms of voltage or current to thedisplay panel 110, the gate driver 120, the data driver 130, and thelike, or controls various types of voltage or current to be suppliedthereto.

Voltage lines through which a variety of signals or voltages aresupplied, can be disposed on the display panel 110, in addition to thegate lines GL and the data lines DL. An emitting device ED, transistorsfor driving the emitting device ED, and the like can be disposed in eachof the subpixels SP.

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit structure of each of the subpixels SP inthe display device 100 according to embodiments, as well as drivingtimes of the subpixel SP.

Referring to FIG. 2 which shows an example of each subpixel SP, anemitting device ED can be disposed in the subpixel SP of the displaypanel 110. In addition, a driving transistor DRT driving the emittingdevice ED by current control can be disposed in the subpixel SP.

The emitting device ED disposed in the subpixel SP can be an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED), and in some cases, can be a light-emittingdiode (LED), a micro light-emitting diode (μLED), or the like.

In addition, in the subpixel SP, one or more transistors can be disposedin addition to the driving transistor DRT. A storage capacitor Cstg orthe like for maintaining the voltage of the gate node of the drivingtransistor DRT can also be disposed in the subpixel SP.

FIG. 2 illustrates a 7T1C structure in which seven 7 transistorsincluding the driving transistor DRT and one 1 storage capacitor Cstgare disposed in the subpixel SP. However, the structure of the subpixelSP in the display device 100 according to embodiments is not limitedthereto. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates the subpixel SP beingimplemented as a P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor, atleast one of the transistors disposed in the subpixel SP can beimplemented as an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS).

The emitting device ED can include an anode electrically connected tothe driving transistor DRT and a cathode to which a base voltage Vss issupplied.

The driving transistor DRT can electrically connect a driving voltageline DVL through which a driving voltage Vdd is applied and the emittingdevice ED. In addition, the driving transistor DRT can be electricallyconnected to a data line DL through which the data voltage Vdata isapplied. In addition, the gate node of the driving transistor DRT can beelectrically connected to the storage capacitor Cstg and aninitialization voltage line IVL.

A first transistor T1 can be controlled by a scan signal SCAN(N) and beelectrically connect a first node N1 and a second node N2 of the drivingtransistor DRT. The first transistor T1 can control a voltage obtainedby compensating for the data voltage Vdata with a threshold voltage Vthof the driving transistor DRT to be applied to the gate node of thedriving transistor DRT.

A second transistor T2 can be controlled by a scan signal SCANt(N-1) andelectrically connect the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT andthe initialization voltage line IVL. The second transistor T2 can beused to initialize the voltage of the gate node of the drivingtransistor DRT.

A third transistor T3 can be controlled by the scan signal SCAN(N) andelectrically connect a third node N3 of the driving transistor DRT andthe data line DL. In addition, a fourth transistor T4 can be controlledby a scan signal EM and electrically connect the third node N3 of thedriving transistor DRT and the driving voltage line DVL.

A fifth transistor T5 can be controlled by the scan signal EM andelectrically connect the second node N2 of the driving transistor DRTand the emitting device ED. The fifth transistor T5 can control emissiontimes of the emitting device ED.

A sixth transistor T6 can be controlled by the scan signal SCAN(N) andelectrically connect the anode of the emitting device ED and theinitialization voltage line IVL. The sixth transistor T6 can be used toinitialize the voltage of the anode of the emitting device ED.

Describing the driving method of the subpixel SP, the subpixel SP can bedriven such that the driving period thereof is divided into aninitialization period, a data writing period, and an emission periodduring a single image frame period.

During the initialization period, the scan signal SCAN(N-1) having a lowlevel can be supplied to the subpixel SP, thereby turning the secondtransistor T2 on. As the second transistor T2 is turned on, aninitialization voltage Vini can be applied to the gate node of thedriving transistor DRT.

After the completion of the initialization, during the data writingperiod, the scan signal SCAN(N-1) having a high level and the scansignal SCAN(N) having a low level can be supplied to the subpixel SP. Inaddition, the second transistor T2 can be turned off, while the firsttransistor T1, the third transistor T3, and the sixth transistor T6 canbe turned on.

As the first transistor T1 is turned on, the first node N1 and thesecond node N2 of the driving transistor DRT are electrically connected.

In addition, as the third transistor T3 is turned on, the data voltageVdata can be applied to the first node N1, the gate node, of the drivingtransistor DRT through the driving transistor DRT and the firsttransistor T1. At this time, the voltage obtained by reflecting thethreshold voltage Vth of the driving transistor DRT to the data voltageVdata can be applied to the gate node of the driving transistor DRT, sothat a compensation for the threshold voltage of the driving transistorDRT can be performed.

In addition, as the sixth transistor T6 is turned on during the datawriting period, the anode of the emitting device ED can be initializedby the initialization voltage Vini. For example, both an operation ofapplying a voltage to the gate node of the driving transistor DRT and anoperation of initializing the anode of the emitting device ED can besimultaneously performed during the data writing period.

During an emission period, the scan signal SCAN(N-1) having a high leveland the scan signal SCAN(N) having a high level can be supplied to thesubpixel SP, and the scan signal EM having a low level can be suppliedto the subpixel SP. Consequently, the first transistor T1, the thirdtransistor T3, and the sixth transistor T6 can be turned off, while thefourth transistor T4 and the fifth transistor T5 can be turned on.

As the fourth transistor T4 is turned on, the driving voltage Vdd can besupplied to the third node N3 of the driving transistor DRT, and adifference in the voltage between the first node N1 and the third nodeN3 of the driving transistor DRT can be created by the data voltageVdata and the driving voltage Vdd, so that a current in response to thedata voltage Vdata can flow through the driving transistor DRT.

As the fifth transistor T5 is turned on, the current in response to thedata voltage Vdata can be supplied to the emitting device ED, and theemitting device ED can exhibit a luminous intensity corresponding to thedata voltage Vdata.

In addition, the display device 100 according to embodiments can includean area for sensors, such as a camera sensor, in the active area A/A ofthe display panel 110, in which the above-described subpixels SP aredisposed.

For example, none of the subpixels SP can be disposed in an area of theactive area A/A of the display panel 110. In addition, the area in whichnone of the subpixels SP are disposed can be open, such that sensors,such as a camera sensor, can be disposed in the open area. For example,a hole area HA can be provided in the active area A/A, and sensors canbe disposed in the hole area HA.

In this case, in a process of disposing display operation components,such as electrodes or signal lines, no display operation configurationscan be disposed in the corresponding area. For example, the electrodes,the signal lines, and the like can be disposed in the active area A/Asuch that images are displayed on the active area A/A except for aportion of the active area A/A in which the hole area HA is to beprovided.

Since the hole area HA is provided in the portion of the active area A/Aand sensors are disposed in the hole area HA, it is possible to preventthe width of the entire non-active area N/A of the display panel 110from being increased by the disposition of the sensors.

FIG. 3 illustrates structures in which the hole area HA is disposed inthe active area A/A of the display device 100 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a portion of the active area A/A of the displaypanel 110 can be the hole area HA in which camera sensors or the likeare disposed. In addition, a boundary area BA can be provided around thehole areas HA.

The boundary area BA can be in contact with the outer circumference ofthe hole area HA and be located between the hole area HA and a portionof the active area A/A in which the subpixels SP are disposed.

The boundary area BA can include a first boundary area BA1 in whichsignal lines for driving a camera sensor or the like disposed in thehole area HA are disposed and a second boundary area BA2 in which signallines for driving the subpixels SP disposed around the hole area HA aredisposed.

Here, the hole area HA and the first boundary area BA1 can be areas thatare open such that the camera sensor is disposed therein. For example,in a situation in which the hole area HA and the first boundary area BA1are open, the area in which a sensor unit of the camera sensor isdisposed can be referred to as the hole area HA, while the area in whicha bezel of the camera sensor is disposed can be referred to as the firstboundary area BA1.

The second boundary area BA2 located around the hole area HA can be anarea in which signal lines for driving the subpixels SP in the activearea A/A are disposed. Since the hole area HA is located in the activearea A/A, none of signal lines connected to specific subpixels SPlocated around the hole area HA can be located in the hole area HA.Accordingly, the second boundary area BA2 can be provided around thehole area HA, and display operation signal lines, such as gate lines GLand data line DL, can be disposed in the second boundary area BA2.

The hole area HA provided in the active area A/A can be a single area ora plurality of areas depending on the type, number, and the like ofsensors disposed in the active area A/A.

For example, referring to EX 1 in FIG. 3 , a single hole area HA can bedisposed in the active area A/A of the display panel 110. The firstboundary area BA1 and the second boundary area BA2 can be disposedaround the hole area HA. In addition, the subpixels SP or the like canbe disposed outside of the second boundary area BA2. For example, theouter circumference of the boundary area BA can be spaced apart from theouter circumference of the active area A/A.

In another example, referring to EX 2 in FIG. 3 , two hole areas HA canbe disposed in the active area A/A of the display panel 110. The firsthole area HA1 and the second hole area HA2 can have the same shape andsize, or as in EX 2, can have different shapes and sizes.

The first boundary area BA1, in which signal lines or the like fordriving a sensor disposed in the first hole area HA1, can be locatedaround the first hole area HA1. The second boundary area BA2, in whichsignal lines or the like for driving a sensor disposed in the secondhole area HA2, can be located around the second hole area HA2.

The second boundary area BA2 can be located outside of the firstboundary area BA1. In addition, the subpixels SP can be disposed in theremaining portions of the active area A/A, except for the hole area HAand the boundary area BA, to display images.

Accordingly, since none of the signal lines for driving the subpixel SPlocated around the hole area HA can be disposed in the hole area HA,such signal lines can be disposed in the boundary area BA located aroundthe hole area HA and connected to the subpixels SP located outside ofthe boundary area BA.

FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in which signal lines are disposed in theboundary area BA located around the hole area HA provided in the activearea A/A of the display device 100 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4 , gate lines GL can be disposed in one direction inthe active area A/A of the display panel 110, and data lines DL can bedisposed in a direction intersecting the gate lines GL.

In addition, in a case in which the hole area HA is located in theactive area A/A, signal lines, such as the gate lines GL and the dataline DL, can be disposed to pass through the boundary area BA locatedaround the hole area HA.

For example, the gate lines GL through which the scan signal is appliedcan be disposed in the boundary area BA located around the hole area HA.The gate lines GL can be disposed in the boundary area BA, in a shapecurved along the outer circumferential shape of the hole area HA. Inaddition, a portion of each of the gate lines GL extending outward fromthe boundary area BA can have a bent shape.

For example, each of the gate lines GL disposed in the boundary area BAcan have a curved shape, with the bent portion being connected to thesubpixel SP while maintaining a constant distance from the other gatelines GL.

In addition, the data lines DL through which the data voltage Vdata isapplied can be disposed in the boundary area BA located around the holearea HA. The data lines DL disposed in the boundary area BA can alsohave a curved shape. In addition, a portion of each of the data lines DLextending outward from the boundary area BA can have a bent shape.

The gate lines GL and the data lines DL as described above can bedisposed on different layers in the display panel 110.

For example, referring to the schematic cross-sectional structure of aportion I-I′ in FIG. 4 , a buffer layer BUF or the like can be disposedon a substrate SUB, and the gate lines GL can be disposed on the bufferlayer BUF. An insulating layer ILD can be disposed on the gate lines GL,and the data lines DL can be disposed on the insulating layer ILD. Inaddition, a passivation layer PAS can be disposed on the data lines DL.

Since the gate lines GL and the data lines DL are disposed on differentlayers and are curved in the boundary area BA, the gate lines GL and thedata lines can be connected to the subpixels SP located outside of thehole area HA.

Since the gate lines GL and the data lines DL are disposed along theouter circumference of the hole area HA in the boundary area BA, thegate lines GL and the data lines DL can be longer than the other signallines disposed outside of the boundary area BA. In addition, theincreased length of the signal lines can increase the load of the signallines. In particular, the increased load of the data lines DL supplyingthe data voltage Vdata can cause the luminance of the subpixel SP to belowered.

Embodiments provide a solution able to prevent degradations in thequality of an image displayed around the hole area HA while the holearea HA in which sensors or the like can be disposed therein is includedin the active area A/A.

FIG. 5 illustrates another structure in which signal lines are disposedin the boundary area BA located around the hole area HA provided in theactive area A/A of the display device 100 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the hole area HA in which the sensors or the likeare disposed can be located in the active area A/A of the display panel110. The boundary area BA can be located around the hole area HA whilebeing in contact with the outer circumference of the hole area HA.

The gate lines GL, the data lines DL, and the like for driving subpixelsSP located around the hole area HA can be disposed in the boundary areaBA.

For example, the gate lines GL through which the scan signal is appliedcan be disposed in one direction while respectively including a curvedportion and a bent portion in the boundary area BA. In addition, thedata lines DL through which the data voltage Vdata is supplied can bedisposed in a direction intersecting the gate lines GL whilerespectively including a curved portion and a bent portion in theboundary area BA.

Here, specific data lines DL among the plurality of data lines DLdisposed in the boundary area BA can be disposed on different layers.

Referring to the schematic cross-sectional structure of a portion J-J′in FIG. 5 , the insulating layer ILD can be disposed on the gate linesGL, and first data lines DL1 can be disposed on the insulating layerILD. A first passivation layer PAS1 can be disposed on the first datalines DL1, and second data lines DL2 can be disposed on the firstpassivation layer PAS1. In addition, a second passivation layer PAS2 canbe disposed on the second data lines DL2.

Here, the first data lines DL1 and the second data lines DL2 can be madeof the same material.

In addition, since the second data lines DL2 are located above the firstdata lines DL1, a vertical distance d2 between the second data lines DL2and the gate lines GL can be greater than a vertical distance d1 betweenthe first data lines DL1 and the gate lines GL.

With an increase in the distance between the second data lines DL2 andthe gate lines GL located below the second data lines DL2, parasiticcapacitance that can be generated between the second data lines DL2 andthe gate lines GL can be reduced, and the load of the second data linesDL2 can be reduced.

For example, embodiments can increase the distance between specific datalines DL among the plurality of data lines DL, disposed in the boundaryarea BA located around the hole area HA, and signal lines, such as thegate lines GL, disposed on a layer different from a layer on which thedata lines DL located, thereby preventing an increase in the load causedby an increase in the length of the data lines DL.

Accordingly, the luminance of the subpixels SP disposed in an areaadjacent to the hole area HA can be prevented from being degraded by anincrease in the load of the data lines DL, through which the datavoltage Vdata is supplied to the subpixels SP.

In addition, the load of specific data lines DL, among the plurality ofdata lines DL, driving the subpixel SP having a significant influence onthe luminance, can be reduced, thereby increasing the effect ofimproving the luminance of the surroundings of the hole area HA.

FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement structure of the data lines DL drivingthe subpixels SP located around the hole area HA provided in the activearea A/A of the display device 100 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6 , red subpixels R SP, green subpixels G SP, and bluesubpixels B SP can be disposed in the active area A/A of the displaypanel 110. Here, the red subpixels R SP and the blue subpixels B SP canbe disposed to alternate with each other so as to be driven by the firstdata lines DL1. In addition, the green subpixels G SP can be disposed onthe same columns so as to be driven by the second data lines DL2.

The peak wavelength of light emitted by the green subpixels G SP can besmaller than the peak wavelength of light emitted by the red subpixels RSP and greater than the peak wavelength of light emitted by the bluesubpixels B SP. In addition, the luminance can be changed by theintensity of light emitted by the green subpixels G SP.

Accordingly, the second data lines DL2 driving the green subpixels G SPcan be disposed on a layer above the first data lines DL1 driving thered subpixels R SP and the blue subpixels B SP to reduce the load of thesecond data lines DL2 and increase the luminance of the area driven bythe corresponding data lines DL.

As described above, in the structure in which the signal lines drivingthe subpixels SP located around the hole area HA can be disposed in theboundary area BA and connected to the subpixels SP, a layer on whichspecific signal lines are disposed can be adjusted, thereby preventingthe image quality from being degraded by an increase in the load.

In addition, the above-described arranged structure of the data lines DLcan be applied to a case in which a plurality of hole areas HA aredisposed in the active area A/A of the display panel 110.

FIG. 7 illustrates another structure in which the data lines DL aredisposed in the boundary area BA located around the hole area HAprovided in the active area A/A of the display device 100 according toembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the first hole area HA1 and the second hole areaHA2 can be disposed in the active area A/A.

The boundary area BA can be disposed around the first hole area HA1 andthe second hole area HA2 to be in contact with the outer circumferenceof the first hole area HA1 and the outer circumference of the secondhole area HA2. In the boundary area BA, the gate lines GL connected tothe subpixels SP located on one side (e.g., to the left) and the otherside (e.g., to the right) of the hole area HA can be disposed.

In addition, in the boundary area BA, the data lines DL connected to thesubpixels SP located on one side of (e.g., above) and the other side of(e.g., below) the hole area HA can be disposed.

A part of each of the data lines DL disposed in the boundary area BA caninclude a portion having a curved shape. In addition, a part of each ofthe data line DL extending outward from the boundary area BA can includea portion having a bent shape.

Here, the first data lines DL1 driving the red subpixels R SP and theblue subpixels B SP and the second data lines DL2 driving the greensubpixels G SP can be disposed to alternate with each other. In theaddition, the second data lines DL2 can be disposed on a layer above thefirst data lines DL1.

This consequently increases the distance of the second data lines DL2 tothe signal lines disposed on a layer below the data lines DL. Inaddition, increases in the distance of the second data lines DL2 to thesignal lines disposed on the layer below the data lines DL can reducethe load of the second data lines DL2.

Accordingly, the load can be prevented from being increased by theincreased length of the second data lines DL2 disposed in the boundaryarea BA, thereby preventing the luminance of the subpixels SP driven bythe second data lines DL2 from being lowered.

In addition, the first data lines DL1 and the second data lines DL2 canbe disposed in a predetermined pattern in a specific area, e.g., an areaoutside of the boundary area BA or a portion of the boundary area BAbetween the hole areas HA1 and HA2, for the purpose of uniform luminanceor the ease of the arrangement of the signal lines.

FIG. 8 illustrates a structure in which the data lines DL are disposedoutside and inside of the boundary area BA located around the hole areaHA illustrated in FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , an example structure of the data lines DL disposedin the boundary area BA located to the left of the first hole area HA1and in a portion of the active area A/A outside of the boundary area BAis illustrated.

The data lines DL connected to the subpixels SP disposed above the firsthole area HA1 and the subpixels SP disposed below the first hole areaHA1 can be disposed to bypass the first hole area HA1. The length of thecurved portions of the data lines DL can increase when closer to theouter circumference of the first hole area HA1. In addition, the lengthof the curved portions of the data lines DL can decrease when closer tothe outer circumference of the boundary area BA.

Here, although the distance between the curved portions of the datalines DL can be reduced due to the width of the boundary area BA, thedistance between the linear portions of the data lines DL disposedoutside of the boundary area BA can be constant.

Accordingly, the data lines DL can be disposed in the boundary area BAwith the structure bypassing the hole area HA and be connected to thesubpixels SP disposed above and below the hole area HA to drive thecorresponding subpixels SP.

In addition, since the second data lines DL2 driving the green subpixelsG SP are disposed on the upper layer, the load of the second data linesDL2, through which the data voltage Vdata is supplied to the greensubpixels G SP, can be reduced, thereby preventing a decrease in theluminance of the area driven by the data lines DL, portions of which aredisposed in the boundary area BA.

In addition, for the ease of the arrangement of the signal lines, thedata lines DL disposed outside of the boundary area BA can be disposedin the same pattern as the data lines DL disposed in the boundary areaBA. For example, the first data lines DL1 and the second data line DL2located outside of the boundary area BA can be disposed on differentlayers.

Accordingly, the display device 100 according to embodiments can providean arrangement structure in which the two data lines DL disposedadjacent to each other are disposed on different layers.

FIG. 9 illustrates a structure in which the data lines DL are disposedin the boundary area BA located between two hole areas HA.

Referring to FIG. 9 , an example structure in which the data lines DLare disposed in the boundary area BA located between the first hole areaHA1 and the second hole area HA2 is illustrated.

In the area between the first hole area HA1 and the second hole areaHA2, specific data lines DL can have a shape curved along the outercircumferential shape of the first hole area HA1, while the other datalines DL can have a shape curved along the outer circumferential shapeof the second hole area HA2. Thus, the data lines DL curved in theopposite directions can be disposed in the boundary area BA locatedbetween the first hole area HA1 and the second hole area HA2.

The data lines DL can be disposed with a curved shape in the boundaryarea BA between the first hole area HA1 and the second hole area HA2,such that the distance between the data lines DL can be reduced in theboundary area BA. In addition, the linear portions of the data lines DLextending outward from the boundary area BA can be connected to thesubpixels SP located outside of the boundary area BA while having aconstant distance.

Here, in the boundary area BA between the first hole area HA1 and thesecond hole area HA2, two adjacent data lines DL can be curved in theopposite directions. In addition, since the first data lines DL1 and thesecond data lines DL2 are disposed to alternate with each other, theadjacent data lines DL curved in the opposite directions can be disposedon different layers.

As described above, the display device 100 according to embodimentsprovides the structure including the hole area HA in the active areaA/A, thereby allowing the sensors to be disposed in the active area A/A.In addition, the structure in which the signal lines for displayoperation are disposed in the boundary area BA located outside of thehole area HA is provided, thereby providing a structure of signal linesable to drive the subpixels SP located around the hole area HA.

In addition, the layer on which the data lines DL driving the subpixelsSP exhibiting a specific color are disposed can be adjusted to reducethe load of the data lines DL, so that an increase in the load due tothe data lines DL disposed to bypass the hole area HA can be reduced,and the uniformity of luminance occurring around the hole area HA can beimproved.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate examples in which the uniformity of luminancein the active area A/A is improved by the arrangement structure of thedata lines DL illustrated in FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 10 , an example situation in which the data driver 130supplying the data voltage Vdata to the data lines DL is located belowthe active area A/A. Since the data lines DL are disposed in theboundary area BA located around the hole area HA, with the loadincreasing with increases in the length, an area having low luminance,exhibited by the subpixels SP driven by the data lines DL, can occur.

For example, in a case in which the hole area HA, the boundary area BA,and the like are disposed at distances from the outer circumference ofthe active area A/A, specific subpixels SP can be driven by the datalines DL disposed in the boundary area BA between the hole area HA orthe like and the outer circumference of the active area A/A.

In addition, since the data lines DL driving such subpixels SP aredisposed in the boundary area BA, with the load thereof being increased,the area in which the subpixels SP driven by the corresponding datalines DL can have low luminance.

According to embodiments, the second data lines DL2 driving the greensubpixels G SP, among the data lines DL disposed in the boundary areaBA, can be located on the layer capable of reducing the load of thesecond data line DL2, thereby preventing a decrease in the luminancefrom occurring in the area located around the hole area HA.

In addition, even in a case in which the hole area HA is disposedadjacent to the outer circumference of the active area A/A, embodimentsare applicable in a case in which the subpixels SP driven by the datalines DL disposed in the boundary area BA between the hole area HA andthe outer circumference of the active area A/A are present.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , the boundary area BA can belocated around the hole area HA such that a portion of the boundary areaBA is in contact with the outer circumference of the active area A/A.

In this case, when the outer circumference of the boundary area BAincludes a curved portion, image-displaying subpixels SP can be disposedbetween the outer circumference of the boundary area BA and the outercircumference of the active area A/A. In addition, the data lines DLdriving the corresponding subpixels SP can be disposed in the boundaryarea BA while bypassing the hole area HA.

Here, the second data lines DL2 driving the green subpixels G SP can bedisposed on a layer different from the layer on which the first datalines DL1 driving the red subpixels R SP and the blue subpixels B SP aredisposed, thereby preventing a decrease in the luminance that wouldotherwise be caused by an increase in the load of the data lines DL inthe corresponding area.

According to embodiments as set forth above, a structure in whichsensors can be disposed in the active area A/A can be provided bydisposing the hole area HA in a portion of the active area A/A of thedisplay panel 110.

In addition, embodiments can provide an arrangement structure of signallines able to drive the subpixels SP located around the hole area HA byproviding the boundary area BA outside of the hole area HA and allowingthe display operation signal lines disposed in the boundary area BA tohave a curved shape.

In addition, embodiments can provide a structure in which specific datalines DL driving the green subpixels G SP, among the data lines DLdisposed in the boundary area BA to drive the subpixels SP locatedoutside of the boundary area BA, are disposed on a layer different fromthe layer on which the other data lines DL are disposed.

Accordingly, a solution able to prevent an increase in the load of thedata lines DL driving the green subpixels G SP, thereby preventing adecrease in the luminance of the subpixels SP driven by thecorresponding data lines DL and reducing the non-uniformity of theluminance occurring around the hole area HA, can be provided.

The above description has been presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the technical idea of the present invention, andhas been provided in the context of a particular application and itsrequirements. Various modifications, additions and substitutions to thedescribed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. The above description and the accompanyingdrawings provide an example of the technical idea of the presentinvention for illustrative purposes only. For example, the disclosedembodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical ideaof the present invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention isnot limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the claims. The scope of protection of the presentinvention should be construed based on the following claims, and alltechnical ideas within the scope of equivalents thereof should beconstrued as being included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a display panelhaving an active area where a plurality of subpixels are disposed; atleast one hole area surrounded by the active area; a boundary areadisposed between the at least one hole area and the active area; a firstgate line disposed on the active area and the boundary area, the firstgate line being configured to supply a scan signal to a first group ofsubpixels among the plurality of subpixels; a second gate line disposedon the active area and the boundary area, the second gate line beingconfigured to supply an emission signal to the first group of subpixels;a first data line disposed on the active area and the boundary area, thefirst data line being configured to supply a first data voltage to asecond group of subpixels among the plurality of subpixels; and a seconddata line disposed on the active area and the boundary area, the seconddata line being configured to supply a second data voltage to a thirdgroup of subpixels among the plurality of subpixels.
 2. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the second group of subpixels is included inthe first group of subpixels, the third group of subpixels is includedin the first group of subpixels, and the second group of subpixels isdifferent from the third group of subpixels.
 3. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the first group of subpixels includes a red subpixel, agreen subpixel and a blue subpixel.
 4. The display device of claim 1,wherein the second group of subpixels includes a red subpixel and a bluesubpixel, and does not include a green subpixel.
 5. The display deviceof claim 4, wherein the third group of subpixels includes the greensubpixel, and does not include the red subpixel and the blue subpixel.6. The display device of claim 5, further comprising: an insulatinglayer disposed between the first gate line and the first data line; anda passivation layer disposed between the first data line and the seconddata line, wherein a thickness of the insulating layer is greater than athickness of the passivation layer.
 7. The display device of claim 1,wherein the first gate line is one of a plurality of first gate lines,wherein the second gate line is one of a plurality of second gate lines,and wherein the plurality of first gate lines and the plurality ofsecond gate lines are arranged in an alternating manner in onedirection.
 8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the first data lineis one of a plurality of first data lines, wherein the second data lineis one of a plurality of second data lines, and wherein the plurality offirst data lines and the plurality of second data lines are arranged inan alternating manner in another direction crossing the one direction.9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first data line and thesecond data line overlap with both of the first gate line and the secondgate line.
 10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first dataline and the second data line cross over both of the first gate line andthe second gate line at the boundary area.
 11. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first gate line, the second gate line, thefirst data line and the second data line includes a curved portion and astraight portion, and wherein a curved portion of the first gate linecrosses over a straight portion of the first data line, or a straightportion of the first gate line crosses over a curved portion of thefirst data line.
 12. The display device of claim 1, wherein the boundaryarea includes a first boundary area surrounding the hole area, and asecond boundary area surrounding the first boundary area, and whereinthe first gate line, the second gate line, the first data line and thesecond data line are disposed on the second boundary area and are notincluded in the first boundary area.
 13. The display device of claim 12,wherein the hole area and the first boundary area are areas that areopen and configured to receive a sensor unit.
 14. The display device ofclaim 13, wherein the first boundary area includes signal lines fordriving the sensor unit.
 15. The display device of claim 1, wherein avertical distance between the second data line and the first gate lineis greater than a vertical distance between the first data line and thefirst gate line.
 16. The display device of claim 1, wherein the firstdata line is connected to a plurality of red subpixels and a pluralityof blue subpixels, and wherein the second data line is connected to aplurality of green subpixels.
 17. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe second group of subpixels emits a different color than the firstgroup of subpixels.
 18. The display device of claim 1, wherein the firstdata line and the second data line are disposed on different layers. 19.The display device of claim 1, wherein the first gate line and thesecond gate line are disposed on a same layer.
 20. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the second data line is one of a plurality of seconddata lines, and wherein two adjacent second data lines among theplurality of second data include curved portions that curve towards eachother.